Finally, we’ve managed to clear the backlog and complete the Tracker – the practice of teams wearing new kits at the end of a season is always something of a stumbling block.
Gameweek 35 saw little in the way of kit happenings – all 11 Tottenham players wore green at Leeds but Hugo Lloris’ shade was bright enough for distinction.
As usual, Matt Smith has ranked the away teams’ kit choices, with the final table at the bottom of the article:
Matt: Newcastle 0, Tottenham 3, Crystal Palace 0, Chelsea 1, Southampton 3, Brighton 3, Man Utd 3, Everton 3, West Brom 1, Burnley 3
Palace’s three templates could and should have been mixed and matched more this season. Especially at Bramall Lane where a black-blue-blue combo would have been interesting.
Chelsea in blue at City is consistent now, their use of blue socks less so. They would have provided a better contrast on this occasion.
Not a proper ‘gameweek’ per se, but there were quite a few outstanding fixtures played in a short space of time. Again, little that hadn’t been seen already kit-wise.
Matt: Leicester 3, Crystal Palace 3, Arsenal 3, Everton 3, Liverpool 3, Man City 3, Leeds 3, Fulham 3, West Ham 3, Aston Villa 3, Wolves 0, Liverpool 3, Sheff Utd 3.
There’s not been much to shout about for Sheffield United this season but they finally ignored a pointless change to the deeply unsuccessful pink strip and wore their home outfit at Goodison.
Maybe it was some sort of celebration that you could fly there on holiday from the 17th, but Portuwolves are becoming offensive.
The Premier League rules allow sides to preview a kit for the following season in either their final home or away game and Brighton & Hove Albion (home) and Arsenal (away) did so here.
In addition, West Ham had a new combination away to West Brom.
Matt: Fulham 0, Leeds 3, Man City 3, Leicester 3, Wolves 3, Sheff Utd 1, Aston Villa 3, Arsenal 3, Liverpool 3, West Ham 3.
Full credit to West Ham for their mix-and-match job at the Hawthorns, it seems almost rare for clubs to look at this option now as many will simply change an entire strip.
Fulham in yellow at Old Trafford cannot be excused. Have they ever worn anything but their home kit there before?
More new kits for Leicester City (home), Liverpool (home) and Everton (away), while champions Manchester City wore special-edition shirts with gold sponsors’ logos.
Brighton and Southampton both donned mashups that hadn’t been seen up to then.
Matt: Brighton 0, Chelsea 3, Newcastle 1, West Brom 3, Tottenham 3, Crystal Palace 3, Everton 3, Burnley 1, Southampton 3, Man Utd 0
It’s hard to fathom why Brighton changed at Arsenal, but it’s Manchester United who inexplicably deviated away from their traditions that hurt most. An inglorious farewell to a zebra kit that played much better than many thought possible on its release a year ago.
